David P

Senkos and Ikas weigh considerably more than shaky heads and darter heads... Two very different rods are typically used. Having said that, I've got a buddy that uses his 743 for Darterheads just fine, and I personally use my 743 for Shaky Heads 1/4oz and up...but not with light wire shaky head hooks. I have the 742 and 743 and fish them both frequently. Darter heads I prefer on the 742, shaky heads I prefer on the 742. While I prefer Senkos and Ikas on the 743. If I had to just pick one, I would go 743 as I'd rather have a little more power with some baits, than feel underpowered.

Sorry I didn't see this Rolltide, but I did respond to your PM. Hope it helps!

Really? No one has mentioned Megabass Vision 110? Hands down has outfished every other rip bait I have ever thrown in just about every d**n condition. Side by side, same areas, same casts, even having a buddy throw a LC in there first before I do, Vision wins. Of course, there are always some circumstances that call for a smaller, or deeper diving ripbait, but in general, that Vision 110 is tough to beat!

704CB - I haven't used the glass, I use the regular 704CB, but EVEN THAT in my opinion is too soft for Square Bill crankbaits. It's the ULTIMATE ripbait rod, and I throw poppers on it sometimes too, but I really don't like it for square bills, especially with the thicker hooks on most square bills and the cover they're fished in. The 705 CB is a great choice for what you listed. Be careful, there's TWO, the MF and the F. Both are great rods, and just a little different. One has a slightly faster tip. Lot of that is personal preference which one you prefer. Can't go wrong with either though. The 733 Savvy is a great all around rod, and whenever you can, I would opt for the 7'3 vs 7'0 rods. The longer rods help you cast further, help move more line on the hook sets, and just allow for a bit more error when hooking the fish. This goes for the 734 vs 704 question below that as well. You'll be very happy with all the rods you listed, the 735 is my all around everything rod. Jigs, Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, small swimbaits, chatterbaits, the thing does everything. You may prefer some of the techniques I listed to be thrown on the 733 or 734, but that 735 has the ability to do anything when needed. Enjoy! Please feel free to PM me with anymore questions you may have. -David ...and Brian, no worries at all man, I appreciate it. I don't get on here as much as I did before, so these threads pass me by sometimes, always easier to answer PMs!

Dobyns, you'll get the good warranty, customer service, and IMO a far better rod.

Jeez, I just got a few premiers and thought things couldn't get much better!

Anything under 30IPT drives me nuts and makes me impatient. Some of it is preference, some confidence, but in some cases it's a big advantage.

The 734C will be more sensitive, but is it $70 more sensitive? Depends on your budget. The Champions have a slightly faster tip as well, keep that in mind. I would not go down a power to the 733, it's a bit light for 1/2oz jigs if you're whining them and such. I use a 743 occasionally dragging 1/2 footballs around no cover, but still prefer the 4 power. The 734 is by no means a broom stick, and will cast 3/8 and 1/2oz jigs very well. Not to mention just about any other bait in that range.... Senko, Buzzbait, Spinnerbait,Chatterbait, Traps, small swimbaits, t-rig worms, spooks, the list goes on....

I got rid of my Curados and got a few Premiers. Love the things. I got 3 lefties and with 7.1 high speed. Couldn't be happier.

Guys, also don't forget Cabellas is now carrying them as well, if you live near one your chances of handling one are now here! As for the rod, I'm a very firm believer in longer rods. Longer casting, more line moved on the hook set, and to me they just feel so much better. Helps me feel closer and more in control of my bait.

Definitely rod

Jeez, extremely expensive combos yet you use CX? I thought you'd have Tatsu or something on every reel!

I hate you, David. Send me them Dobyns. I'll give em a good home. Haha, I can't fish for another 5 weeks with this broken hand. Only got a few trips with my new reels before I broke it too. Now I know how all the guys stuck inside cause of the snow feel!

All my Dobyns rods feel like that haha

I really like fishing ripbaits on 7:1 high speed reels. Its easier and quicker to pick up the slack line, plus fish ripbaits pretty quick and feel like it takes less effort to do it all day. The other advantage is when a fish pops it hard and runs at you, high speed reels help you catch up to the fish.

If you really want to target bigger fish, you shouldn't over look 8" and 10" swimbaits too. 2lbers eat 8" trout swimbaits.

I have a Soron stx 20 and had several stradic FIs. Both are good reels, but I really am liking the Soron! Feels very precise and smooth. Im a huge believer in the Dobyns lineup, and have used the Champ 702 and Extreme 702 and only held the Savvy 702 off the rack. They're all really very nice rods, and balance extremely well.

The Rod Glove makes a great one. Tapered tips allow you to slide them in rod organizers easier.

Sharpie markers are'n' free either! The pen works well, nice easy groove, has lasted fine so far.

Yes its a 3" difference in length. The added length helps with further casting, and moving more line on the hookset. I highly recommend the 7'3 rods for all around utility rods.

Revo STX!

It really depends how heavy of cover you will be flipping and pitching. The Dobyns 795 DX Extreme flipping stick is one awesome stick. 7'9 and plenty of power to fish just about all types of cover, yet still able to fish lighter cover. The rod will put you with only about $100 to spend on a reel, but Revo S or old model Revo STX can both be found for somewhere right in that range. The Revo lineup of reels has an awesome drag which really helps for that heavier cover. If you want a slightly less expensive rod, the Dobyns 765 Champion is a great rod as well. All just depends on what your preferences are.

I haven't used the 702 Savvy, but have used the 702 Champion and Extreme a lot. The 702s are great Shaky head / drop shot rods, but without having fished the actual 702 Savvy I can't say much more. I have fished numerous other Savvy rods and think they're awesome rods for the price!

The Dobyns 764 would definitely fit the bill. I personally use the 765 but I fish probably slightly heavier cover and fish 1/2oz almost exclusively on that rod.